Widnes Vikings’ 2023 squad numbers have been revealed.
Four new signings have been handed starting shirt numbers; Will Evans (4), Kieran Dixon (5), Tom Gilmore (7) and Kyle Amor (10).
Ryan Ince has switched from five to two, with previous incumbent Ollie Brookes taking the 24 shirt.
Captain Jack Owens has also retained the number one shirt for the upcoming season.
After a standout 2022 campaign, Fans Player of the Year Liam Bent has been rewarded with the number 13 shirt following the departure of Kenny Baker.
A full list of squad numbers and player sponsors can be seen below.
2023 squad numbers
- Jack Owens – Sponsored by Teeling Management
- Ryan Ince – Sponsored by Teeling Management
- Matt Fleming – Sponsored by Lena Hough (In memory of Len Beesley)
- Will Evans – Sponsored by Anthonys Travel
- Kieran Dixon – Sponsored by Jeannie’s Away Travel
- Danny Craven – Sponsored by OM Contractors
- Tom Gilmore – Sponsored by Stantons Of Cheshire
- Owen Farnworth – Sponsored by The Davies Family
- Matty Fozard – Sponsored by Emris Services
- Kyle Amor – Sponsored by Landscape World
- Sam Wilde – Sponsored by Skin Deep Aesthetics & Topaz Beauty and Holistics
- Adam Lawton – Sponsored by Electrod
- Liam Bent – Sponsored by Arnold Gorse Financial Management
- Jordan Johnstone – Sponsored by Arkitect Barbers
- Josh Johnson – Sponsored by West End Motors
- Callum Field – Sponsored by Widnes Eats
- Shane Grady –Sponsored by DMR Motors
- Joe Lyons – Available for sponsorship
- Olly Davies – Sponsored by Glyn Prescott
- Joe Edge – Sponsored by Teeling Management
- Lewis Hatton – Sponsored by Neil Johnson (In memory of Frank)
- Aaron Brown – Sponsored by H Prescott & Sons
- Will Tilleke – Sponsored by LB Brickwork
- Ollie Brookes – Sponsored by Hopewiser
- Brad Holroyd – Sponsored by Runcorn Eats
- Max Roberts – Sponsored by Widiots Events
- Ant Walker – Sponsored by Comfort & Style Beds
- Ryan Millar – Available for sponsorship
Means nothing really.Just because a player is handed a 'starting' shirt doesn't give them automatic selection.There will always be poor form and injuries.No doubt Owens,Craven and Grady will do their usual disappearing act at some point.
- I am surprised Wilde is in the starting 13 & Grady in at 17. I thought both went backwards last season. I thought Hatton & Walker would have been in the first 17 & possibly Millar. If Johnston is ahead of them both what is the point of signing poorer than what we have in the first place? I appreciate things can change & not written in stone
- I also thought Holtoyd had been released?
Interesting to see fozzard over Johnstone, and I suppose Grady is sometimes unavailable due to work commitments,possibly Wilde too ?
- I am surprised Wilde is in the starting 13 & Grady in at 17. I thought both went backwards last season. I thought Hatton & Walker would have been in the first 17 & possibly Millar. If Johnston is ahead of them both what is the point of signing poorer than what we have in the first place? I appreciate things can change & not written in stone
- I also thought Holtoyd had been released?
i don’t think the numbers have any particular meaning these days.
Holroyd has definitely not been released. Was announced as signing one-year deal for 2023. How much he will play with 10 outside backs on the books remains to be seen.
The squad numbers give an indication of Kears thinking for the season. Personally I would have my first 17 a little different, but suppose Kear looks at them in training and 1st pre season under Kear might surprise our thinking too. Ant Walker has a low down the list squad number, so might try and get him on a good salad diet and train harder. Overall not a bad squad, and it will all depend on attitude of the players. Let's be positive, but squad numbers don't mean as much these days though. 👍
Ridiculous number of players,practically paying some of them just to train.I'm all for strength in depth and covering for the usual injuries and players going to work but this seems a bit over the top.
@sinbad It’s not unusual for us to have 6 or more injured at some point so at least this does mean we have that strength in depth and won’t have to look for the usual 4/5 loan players mid season. Personally I think this is a great indication of our intent to succeed and credit where it’s due, the club have done well to be able to afford such a squad!
I think fozzard coming back early from international duty and possibly his commitment in training has earned him the 9 jersey, plus we know he will be rotating with jj
i was surprised by the retention of holroyd also
id have let and Ince go and brought in an old head centre for cover and help us out with the bigger teams
Some bizarre takes in this thread. Why are people assuming the 1-17 squad numbers are the team? I'll go as far as saying we won't play a game this season with 1-13 squad numbers being the starting team. Never happens. A squad of 28 is ideal considering we don't have a SL dual reg to rely on. If we did I'd suggest a 24 would have been fine, but we don't. We're certainly not getting Rochdale's best players so the likes of Holroyd, Tilleke, Brookes will play for them unless we get injuries and then we are covered with ready made replacements.
We're in a decent place right now. Had the squad in all pre-season rather than late signings, and an experienced coach who will make us better.
Yes you need 28 players with no reserves or under 21's. Featherstone have exactly the same number of players in their squad as we do and they are going for promotion. 24/25 would leave us open to injuries and scraping round for loan signings.
I was also surprised Holroyd got a new 12 month deal, I could understand if he was already on a 2 year deal, however you have to remember he is a very young lad at 22 so has potential for the future. I think him and Tilleke will be playing for Rochdale with an eye on the future for us. I do think with the signing of Millar taking us up to 5 wingers we probably have 1 too many. I think the closest one must have been Evans getting the number 4 over Edge, although some players like to pick certain numbers. Also surprised Walker in number 27 given Kear picks him for Wales, but again maybe he's picked that number himself?
10 new signings and a new coach, let's see how we do, no stand out team this year. Tolouse are light. Newcastle and London have gone part time. Only Featherstone that are really strong but as we saw last year, they are beatable unlike Leigh who were ridiculously good by Championship standards.
To be honest I don't think Walker will be fit enough. Given number 27 as probably the worse Prop in the squad. I reckon he could do 27 burgers at Macdonalds before the game. Yeah squad numbers don't matter as much these days, but gives a little indication on Kears view on players. Holroyde, Walker, Tilleke and Brookes on loan to Rochdale for me.
Holroyd Tillike Walker and brookes are a waste of a wage.
Should of invested the money in a stand off/scrum half.
Holroyd Tillike Walker and brookes are a waste of a wage.
Should of invested the money in a stand off/scrum half.
I agree they are all average players at this level and should not play much. I do think we require a decent squad, but these 4 I hope don't play too much for Widnes. Stay at Rochdale please.